Overview of Changes to Mental Health Treatment Plan Items - From 1 November 2011

The key changes to the Better Access Program announced in the Federal Budget 2011-12 include a reduction in the rebate GPs can access for completing a Mental Health Treatment Plan and reducing the cap on the sessions provided by Allied Health Professional from 12 to 10 sessions in a calendar year. These changes came into effect from 1 November 2011.

Removal of previous item numbers for the preparation of a mental Health Treatment Plan:

• 2702 - Preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan by a medical practitioner who has NOT undertaken mental health skills training (rebate $128.20)
• 2710 - Preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan by a medical Practitioner who HAS undertaken mental health skills training (rebate $163.35)

Introduction of new time based item numbers for the preparation of a Mental Health Treatment Plan:

• 2715 -  Preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan by a medical Practitioner who HAS undertaken mental health skills training lasting at least 20 minutes - rebate $87.60
• 2717 - Preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan by a medical Practitioner who HAS undertaken mental health skills training lasting at least 40 minutes - rebate $129.00
• 2700 - Preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan by a medical Practitioner who HAS NOT undertaken mental health skills training lasting at least 20 minutes - rebate $69.00
• 2701 - Preparation of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan by a medical Practitioner who HAS NOT undertaken mental health skills training lasting at least 40 minutes - rebate $101.55

Amendment of fee for Mental Health Review and Consultation Items:

• 2712 - Review of a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan by a medical practitioner - New rebate  $69.00 (formerly $108.90)
• 2713 - Professional attendance by a medical practitioner for a mental health treatment consultation lasting at least 20 minutes - New rebate $69.00 (formerly $71.85)

Medicare rebate-able allied mental health services

Once a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan has been completed and claimed on Medicare either through item 2700, 2701, 2715 or 2717 a patient is eligible to access up to 10 (TEN) individual Medicare rebate-able allied mental health services per calendar year for psychological therapy or focused psychological strategy services. Patients will also be eligible to claim up to 10 (TEN) separate services for the provision of group therapy (either as part of psychological or focused psychological strategies).

When referring patients, GPs shoul provide similar information as per normal GP referral arrangemnet, and specifically consider including both a statement identifying that a GP Mental health Treatment Plan has been completed for the patient (including, where appropriate and with the patient's agreement, attaching a copy of the patient's GP Mental Health Treatment Plan) and clearly identifying the specific number of sessions the patient is being referred for. Referrals for patients should be provided for an initial course of treatment ( a maximum of six services in any one referral). There may be two or more courses of treatment within a patient's entitlement of up to ten services per calendar year. The GP should consider the patient's clinical need for further sessions after the initial referral. This can be done using a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan Review, a GP Mental Health Consultation or a standard consultation item.

Individuals who have already accessed 10 or more individual and 10 or more group services by 1 November will not be eligible for additional services until 1 January 2012.

Summary of Mental Health Item Numbers - 1 November 2011